Hotel Victoria Mews

Located in: South Africa - Grahamstown

Hotel Victoria Mews is right in the centre of the “City of Saints and Sinners”. A quaint hotel of great Historical background, (built in 1849).The hotel has been upgraded and modernized, whilst maintaining a historical ambiance.

Description

Hotel Victoria Mews is right in the centre of the “City of Saints and Sinners”. A quaint hotel of great Historical background, (built in 1849).The hotel has been upgraded and modernized, whilst maintaining a historical ambiance.

The Hotel is situated in the “heart” of Grahamstown, within walking distance from Rhodes University, the High Court, Museums, Schools and businesses.

There are two restaurants on the complex… Gino’s Italian Restaurant,” Grahamstown’s Favourite Pizza Place” and Henry Ate Restaurant which transports you back to another era. We are still researching the facts and fables of this Grande Olde Establishment. The information we have been able to trace was provided by the Cory Library.

Mr. Henry O’Donnel, an Irishman, retired from His Majestys Service after 26 years. He received his pension and applied for a license to run an Inn, Canteen and Boarding House.

The license was granted in 1847, after which he built the “Irish Harp Hotel” on the corner of Hill and New Street. The exact date is not known, but all clues suggest that it was built in 1849. In 1860, Archibald Lappan, took over the Hotel and changed the name to “The Welcome Inn” or also known as “The Lappan Hotel”

He ran it until the year 1901 after which the new owner (still unknown) renamed it as the “Hotel Victoria”.

The current owners bought the Hotel in 1991, at a time when 11 bedrooms were used as student “digs”. The atmosphere around the hotel was “vibrant and young” with the popular student party spot, “The Vic Main Bar” situated in the main building. The swimming pool and outside entertainment area between Gino’s and the hotel hosted many “Vicstocks”, which was a regular meeting place for students and locals to enjoy live bands and fun in the sun.

After a couple of years they decided to change the accommodation back to hotel rooms and slowly started the process of renovating all the bedrooms and “The Vic Main Bar” back into a restaurant.

The hotel has gone through many “changes” and “hands”, from being a fort to an Inn and boarding house to student digs and pub and all the way back to a hotel, which has never lost its “uniqueness”, “warmth” and “quaintness”.

The Hotel has 15 fresh, simple and smartly decorated bedrooms – each with its own bathroom. We want to make your stay a happy and comfortable one.

Each bedroom has television, telephone, coffee and tea, fans and heaters. Hairdryers and anything else you might need to make your stay a comfortable one is available at reception.

Also available:- • Swimming pool and braai facilities on the complex • Airport transfers can be arranged • Internet available on request • In house laundry • Valuables can be locked away • Tours and game drives can be arranged • Babysitting can be arranged • Limited room service • Secure off street parking

How To Find Us

Traveling on the N2 from Port Elizabeth you turn ou just after the 1820 Settler Monument to the right. At the first robot you turn left into Somerset Street. At the second Stop at the corner of Somerset and New street you turn right into New Street, We are at the end of the street.